In pictures: Trinity College Cambridge holds its 158th May Ball
It is the time of year again when University of Cambridge students don their finery and spend a night celebrating the end of their exams in style.
At Cambridge’s biggest college, the Trinity College May Ball was held for the 158th time – and tickets to the Monday night (23 June) extravaganza cost £430 a pair.
Hundreds of undergraduates, dressed in ball gowns and dinner jackets, were seen making their way to the sold-out event.
The ball is the largest night of the Cambridge student social calendar and Trinity students enjoyed music from headliner Kate Nash, as well as a spectacular firework display, which many watched from punts.
A Trinity spokesperson said: “Trinity’s May Ball was wonderful.
“Members of college and their guests enjoyed Trinity’s Backs transformed for the ball as they danced, relaxed, took refreshments and watched the spectacular fireworks in a fitting finale to the academic year.
“All credit to the First & Third Trinity Boat Club May Ball committee and the college’s staff for organising such an unforgettable occasion.”
Student Owen Wright added: “‘The May Ball was a fabulous event – the committee’s efforts certainly amounted to a truly unforgettable evening.
“As a finalist student, the night was a great way for my friends and I to celebrate our entire time at the university. Thank you to everyone who organised, ran and worked the May Ball. The night was perfect!”
Meanwhile, other University of Cambridge colleges have been getting in on the act too.
First up was the Homerton May Ball last Friday (20 June). Darwin College was next on Saturday (21 June), followed by the Jesus May Ball, which also took place on Monday.
Downing May Ball – with the theme of ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ – was held on Tuesday (24 June), as was St John’s May Ball and Queens’ May Ball.
But a number of May Balls have been cancelled this year and organising them has proved challenging for committees, with student newspaper Varsity even questioning whether 2025 could signal the ‘death of the May Ball’.
The June Event at Emmanuel, the Garden Party at Sidney Sussex and Clare College’s May Ball were all called off amid low ticket sales.
Meanwhile, Robinson decided to downgrade its May Ball.
On Wednesday (25 June), it was the turn of Magdalene College, Pembroke College and King’s, whose annual event is known as the ‘King's Affair’.
This evening (Friday, 27 June), it’s the turn of Corpus Christi students to let their hair down at their May Ball.
Other colleges are holding garden parties or alternative celebrations.
